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11:09 PM.

August 10,
2002Section:
LocalPage: 1B

Joyner,
Jackson fans `party with a purpose'Cherryl T. Watson

By Cherryl T.
Watson

Clarion Ledger Staff Writer

The thunderous ovation of a few hundred sounded like
thousands in the wee hours of Friday morning when Tom Joyner
grooved his way onto the stage at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson.

"We're in the 'Sip. The Dirty South. Mississippi. And
we're partying with a purpose at the Sky Show," he said.

The Tom Joyner Southwest Airlines Sky Show had landed
in Jackson, and the whole country was listening by radio.
Joyner was joined by the rest of the Tom Joyner Morning Show
crew, Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown, Myra Jay and Miss
Dupree.

An estimated 500 people attended the four-hour,
nationally syndicated show that began at 5 a.m. People began
gathering for the show as early as 12:30 a.m.

"Tom Joyner is my hero. His voice alone `is'
empowerment," said Janice Davis, who drove to Jackson after
her 12-hour nursing shift in Vicksburg. "I know of no other
individual who has the power to pull people together like he
does."

Joyner uses his Sky Shows to raise money for The Tom
Joyner Foundation, which helps students at historically black
colleges and universities with financial assistance. Each
month, the foundation assists a different historically black
school. The show also encourages voter registration and
participation.

"It's a party with a purpose - and that's voter
registration," Joyner said.

"When Tom Joyner takes a stand for any cause, I stand
behind him," said Gene C. Young, a retired educator from
Jackson State University.

The Sky Show differs from the regular daily shows in
that it is broadcast live from a new city each week and
features live entertainment.

Bobby Womack, whose hits include Harry Hippie and Think
it Over, was the guest performer Friday.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People was on hand to register voters. According to Derrick
Johnson, state coordinator for the Voter Empowerment Project
in Mississippi, 17,000 voters have signed up so far this year.

"Voting is the key, and the NAACP implores everyone to
get out and vote, vote, vote," Johnson said.

Corporate sponsors and local organizations gave a total
of $55,000 and four laptop computers to the foundation.
Contributors included Red Lobster, Budweiser, Blockbuster
Video, Shaver's Choice, Nokia, Cingular Wireless
and the International Association of Black Firefighters.

PULLOUT QUOTE:

"Tom Joyner is my hero. His voice alone `is'
empowerment. I know of no other individual who has the power
to pull people together like he does."